I am preparing my heart and mind to share my testimony with a group of ladies this coming Thursday night. These ladies are new residents, as of May 1, 2009, of a Women's Extension Center, a 60 day program for women that want to recover from drug and/or alcohol abuse.
A friend of mine has asked for my help and I am in the process of recruiting volunteers to help out in many areas as this new center evolves.
My book club just finished discussing the book BROKEN, A story of Redemption and Recovery By, William Cope Moyers. I highly recommend this book to anyone that might want to have a clearer understanding of the horrific disease of sddiction.
I believe that reading this book has better equipped me to minister to these women at The Women's Extension Center.
I keep thinking about a quote I heard once, although I do not recall who said it.
"They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
This Thursday night is an opportunity for Bible Study for these women, to help them see that there are answers in the Word. However if I go in there and share a bunch of scripture verses with them, some of whom have never opened the Bible before, I know that my sharing will not be effective.
Instead, I will share from my heart, my personal story about how God rescued me, and I will love these women, because ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
WHAT IS SUCCESS?
I just spent some time writing checks and readying a few graduation cards. We are at that season of life where we are helping our friends and family members celebrate this milestone juncture in a young person's life: high school commencement, college graduation, or even a convocation from some professional school. One of our best friend's daughter is graduating from the Naval Academy and going on to Flight School! Wow, what an accomplishment!
Yes, the Class of 2009 is certainly something to honor and commend!
Ralph Waldo Emerson (May 25, 1803-April 27,1882) was an American essayist, philosopher and poet best remembered for leading the Transcendentalist movement of the early 19th century.
As I was considering what success in life really is, I was reminded of this well-known poet's definition:
TO LAUGH OFTEN AND MUCH; TO WIN THE RESPECT OF INTELLIGENT PEOPLE AND AFFECTION OF CHILDREN; TO EARN THE APPRECIATION OF HONEST CRITICS AND ENDURE THE BETRAYAL OF FALSE FRIENDS; TO APPRECIATE BEAUTY, TO FIND THE BEST IN OTHERS; TO LEAVE THE WORLD A BIT BETTER, WHETHER BY A HEALTHY CHILD, A GARDEN PATCH OR A REDEEMED SOCIAL CONDITION; TO KNOW EVEN ONE LIFE HAS BREATHED EASIER BECAUSE YOU HAVE LIVED.
THIS IS TO HAVE SUCCEEDED.
By, Ralph Waldo Emerson
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS?
Yes, the Class of 2009 is certainly something to honor and commend!
Ralph Waldo Emerson (May 25, 1803-April 27,1882) was an American essayist, philosopher and poet best remembered for leading the Transcendentalist movement of the early 19th century.
As I was considering what success in life really is, I was reminded of this well-known poet's definition:
TO LAUGH OFTEN AND MUCH; TO WIN THE RESPECT OF INTELLIGENT PEOPLE AND AFFECTION OF CHILDREN; TO EARN THE APPRECIATION OF HONEST CRITICS AND ENDURE THE BETRAYAL OF FALSE FRIENDS; TO APPRECIATE BEAUTY, TO FIND THE BEST IN OTHERS; TO LEAVE THE WORLD A BIT BETTER, WHETHER BY A HEALTHY CHILD, A GARDEN PATCH OR A REDEEMED SOCIAL CONDITION; TO KNOW EVEN ONE LIFE HAS BREATHED EASIER BECAUSE YOU HAVE LIVED.
THIS IS TO HAVE SUCCEEDED.
By, Ralph Waldo Emerson
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS?
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Let's "GET IT RIGHT"
A good friend and I were chatting on his front porch a couple of days ago and he was letting me know that his mother's cancer had spread and she does not have long. He and I talked about what kind of Mama she had been and I cannot get what he said to me out of my mind...he said: ~
"When my mother reaches the gates of heaven, she will hear the words...
'You got it right'."
While my friend elaborated very ittle about what exactly he meant by this, I knew without a doubt what he was saying to me...
His mother made sure to ~~~~LOVE WELL ~~~LAUGH OFTEN and LOVE MUCH~~~~
I want to get it right, too! Don't you!?!
"When my mother reaches the gates of heaven, she will hear the words...
'You got it right'."
While my friend elaborated very ittle about what exactly he meant by this, I knew without a doubt what he was saying to me...
His mother made sure to ~~~~LOVE WELL ~~~LAUGH OFTEN and LOVE MUCH~~~~
I want to get it right, too! Don't you!?!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
GRADUATION TIME: A new beginning
I was at the graduation for my son's school today, as a volunteer, because he will not be a senior until next year. The volunteers were in charge of setting up a lovely reception to follow the ceremony. Everything was pulled together at 2:50, as the event was to take place at 3:00 p.m. The flowers and balloons had been arranged and were in place. The cake, punch, and nuts were ready for the crowd.
Just before the graduation began, a woman ran into the reception area calling out to us: "Call 911, my uncle is ill!" We of course, called 911, and the emergency vehicles were on the way. One of the administrators ran to his office to obtain a AED (Automated External Defibrillators). It has become more and more common for public places to have a machine like this available for cardiac emergencies.
This machine when attached to the victim reads the heart rhythm and directs the responders as to what they need to do until the ambulance arrives. A friend of mine that was present as a mom of one of the 2009 graduates, who is also a cardiac nurse, along with an Oncologist, who had a son graduating assisted this gentleman until the EMTs arrived. The good news is that the man appears to have improved with the passing of a few minutes and that is good considering my friend reported to me that he had NO heart rate and no pulse when she first appeared on the scene. She stated
that the AED was what made the difference in this medical emergency...Thankfully, this school was equipped with one! Hopefully, this gentleman will realize that he has been given a new beginning, and actually, all those folks in the audience should also realize the fragility of life after witnessing this experience...I know these were the thoughts that went through my mind!
And on this graduation day, a day for new beginnings, my thoughts once again returned to my Mama who passed away in October 2006, after just 4 short months of cancer.
When I was with her, I tried to be brave and put up this cheerful front. But there was this one night a couple of weeks before she left us that I was crying openly on the phone as I talked with her. "Joan," she said, "This is a new beginning." And so it was...
Just before the graduation began, a woman ran into the reception area calling out to us: "Call 911, my uncle is ill!" We of course, called 911, and the emergency vehicles were on the way. One of the administrators ran to his office to obtain a AED (Automated External Defibrillators). It has become more and more common for public places to have a machine like this available for cardiac emergencies.
This machine when attached to the victim reads the heart rhythm and directs the responders as to what they need to do until the ambulance arrives. A friend of mine that was present as a mom of one of the 2009 graduates, who is also a cardiac nurse, along with an Oncologist, who had a son graduating assisted this gentleman until the EMTs arrived. The good news is that the man appears to have improved with the passing of a few minutes and that is good considering my friend reported to me that he had NO heart rate and no pulse when she first appeared on the scene. She stated
that the AED was what made the difference in this medical emergency...Thankfully, this school was equipped with one! Hopefully, this gentleman will realize that he has been given a new beginning, and actually, all those folks in the audience should also realize the fragility of life after witnessing this experience...I know these were the thoughts that went through my mind!
And on this graduation day, a day for new beginnings, my thoughts once again returned to my Mama who passed away in October 2006, after just 4 short months of cancer.
When I was with her, I tried to be brave and put up this cheerful front. But there was this one night a couple of weeks before she left us that I was crying openly on the phone as I talked with her. "Joan," she said, "This is a new beginning." And so it was...
Friday, May 15, 2009
WOMAN WITH CLARITY
As I hoped, my vision was much clearer when I awakened this morning. I checked in with my doctor and he was happy with my overnight progress. My visual clarity is returning as expected.
You know, Helen Keller was born just like most newborn babies. There was much hope and anticipation when Helen came into the world on June 27, 1880. It was at age 18 months after a serious illness that she was left blind and deaf. Later, it was with the help and guidance of Annie Sullivan that Helen began to gain clarity about her life and her future became bright even through incredible adversity.
By the time Helen was 16 years of age, she was accepted into Radcliffe College and in 1904, she graduated cum laude, with honors.
As a young woman, Helen found her passion and became interested in improving the lives of others. With insight, energy, and deep devotion, she lectured throughout the world, worked to forward her ideas in Congress, and wrote thousands of letters asking for contributions to finance efforts to improve the welfare of the blind.
Annie Sullivan served as Helen's counselor and companion. When Helen died just before her 87th birthday, her name had become a worldwide symbol of what the human spirit can accomplish despite severe physical limitations.
I find many of Helen Keller's quotes inspiring. Following are some of my favorites:
"The best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
"The only thing worse than being blind, is having sight, but no vision."
"What I am looking for is not 'out there', it is in me."
There is much we can learn from this remarkable woman who gained much clarity throughout her life.
You know, Helen Keller was born just like most newborn babies. There was much hope and anticipation when Helen came into the world on June 27, 1880. It was at age 18 months after a serious illness that she was left blind and deaf. Later, it was with the help and guidance of Annie Sullivan that Helen began to gain clarity about her life and her future became bright even through incredible adversity.
By the time Helen was 16 years of age, she was accepted into Radcliffe College and in 1904, she graduated cum laude, with honors.
As a young woman, Helen found her passion and became interested in improving the lives of others. With insight, energy, and deep devotion, she lectured throughout the world, worked to forward her ideas in Congress, and wrote thousands of letters asking for contributions to finance efforts to improve the welfare of the blind.
Annie Sullivan served as Helen's counselor and companion. When Helen died just before her 87th birthday, her name had become a worldwide symbol of what the human spirit can accomplish despite severe physical limitations.
I find many of Helen Keller's quotes inspiring. Following are some of my favorites:
"The best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
"The only thing worse than being blind, is having sight, but no vision."
"What I am looking for is not 'out there', it is in me."
There is much we can learn from this remarkable woman who gained much clarity throughout her life.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
GAINING CLARITY
My daughter took me earlier this afternoon for lasik eye surgery on my left eye. Because I am still recovering, my vision is blurry as I type, so I feel certain this will be a short post. I should have more visual clarity when I awaken in the morning. As I was resting after the surgery, I began to think about the inner clarity that has been coming into my life more than ever in recent months since becoming a 50 something woman. Clarity is defined as having clearness as to understanding or perception. I do believe that clarity is not something that just happens, but instead, it is something that will happen as we begin to be still and LET THINGS GO.
Mahatma Ghandi said "In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness."
One of my favorite all time heroes, a woman known for brave deeds and noble qualities, is Helen Keller. She gained much clarity as she lived out her days and I will share more about her tomorrow.
In the meantime, I am wondering what it is you and I need to gain more clarity about today. Is it that difficult relationship that has been bogging us down? Could it be that we KNOW that we need to alter our eating and exercise habits, but we are just not doing it?
Is it that we need to live a more simple life? Perhaps, it is that we need to love and care for ourselves in the same way that we love and care for the important people in our lives.
Let us make every effort to be clear-minded as we walk through our days. That should be recognized as one of the greatest benefits of being this age!
Chelle Thompson, Editor of Inspirtation Line says it like this:
"In my own life I've practiced stepping back a bit, emotionally from difficult situations so that I could gain clarity of perspective. It's quite a miraculous feeling to recognize that we do not have to be victims of circumstance because the very freedom we seek is within each of us."
YES...LET US BE HONEST AND FRANK WITH OURSELVES AND GAIN MORE CLARITY TODAY!
We only get one chance at this life...one time around.
Mahatma Ghandi said "In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness."
One of my favorite all time heroes, a woman known for brave deeds and noble qualities, is Helen Keller. She gained much clarity as she lived out her days and I will share more about her tomorrow.
In the meantime, I am wondering what it is you and I need to gain more clarity about today. Is it that difficult relationship that has been bogging us down? Could it be that we KNOW that we need to alter our eating and exercise habits, but we are just not doing it?
Is it that we need to live a more simple life? Perhaps, it is that we need to love and care for ourselves in the same way that we love and care for the important people in our lives.
Let us make every effort to be clear-minded as we walk through our days. That should be recognized as one of the greatest benefits of being this age!
Chelle Thompson, Editor of Inspirtation Line says it like this:
"In my own life I've practiced stepping back a bit, emotionally from difficult situations so that I could gain clarity of perspective. It's quite a miraculous feeling to recognize that we do not have to be victims of circumstance because the very freedom we seek is within each of us."
YES...LET US BE HONEST AND FRANK WITH OURSELVES AND GAIN MORE CLARITY TODAY!
We only get one chance at this life...one time around.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
DO IT ANYWAY!
I did not feel like exercising this morning...but I did it anyway and I am glad!
In fact, I must say that I have never worked out and not felt much better afterwards.
This is a good point to remember! As a 50 something woman, exercise brings on growth, whereas a lack of it can bring on decay...I want growth, and I'll bet you do, too!
This reminds me of another kind of "DO IT ANYWAY!"
As we journey through life, we will often encounter what I call "sand paper people". You know, those that can be difficult to get along with no matter what.
These folks need love just like the rest of us.
In our home, I have the following framed in our living area...I try to read it often, because it reminds me of fitting ways to LIVE and LOVE!
ANYWAY
"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered, forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends, and some true enemies; succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight, build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway.
The good you do today people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.
GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU HAVE, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway." ~MOTHER TERESA~
LET'S DO IT ANYWAY!
In fact, I must say that I have never worked out and not felt much better afterwards.
This is a good point to remember! As a 50 something woman, exercise brings on growth, whereas a lack of it can bring on decay...I want growth, and I'll bet you do, too!
This reminds me of another kind of "DO IT ANYWAY!"
As we journey through life, we will often encounter what I call "sand paper people". You know, those that can be difficult to get along with no matter what.
These folks need love just like the rest of us.
In our home, I have the following framed in our living area...I try to read it often, because it reminds me of fitting ways to LIVE and LOVE!
ANYWAY
"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered, forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends, and some true enemies; succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight, build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway.
The good you do today people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.
GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU HAVE, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway." ~MOTHER TERESA~
LET'S DO IT ANYWAY!
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